Help - injured elbow and feet picking!

[Mrsweav2010]

Hi! I had a bad fall a few weeks ago and the outcome was an elbow replacement and ligament repair. My very wonderful friend has been caring for my TB as well as her own horse (I’ve literally had no use of my arm and not allowed to drive to the yard). Im starting to get some movement back and hoping to be driving soon - but nowhere

 

[Mrsweav2010]

nowhere near back to full strength/movement. My question is, does anyone have any workarounds that might be useful?? Especially stuck with picking up feet (no strength!) and fiddly bits like rug buckles etc!! Thanks! ?

 

[paddi22]

I only have the use of one arm really, so I had to train my horses to rest their hooves on a mounting block so I can pick out feet and put boots on etc
for rug buckles, I press my bad arm against the horse to stabilise it, and use it as a holding arm and do all the fiddley stuff with my good arm
I also have to train them to lover heads to so i can put on headcollars and bridles

 

[Highmileagecob]

My friend has taught her mare to rest a hoof whilst she uses a hand held pressure spray to knock the worst of the muck out of the hoof. Final pick up to check all is clean. if she is struggling, there is usually someone around to give a hand. It's not easy is it?

 

[Mrsweav2010]

I only have the use of one arm really, so I had to train my horses to rest their hooves on a mounting block so I can pick out feet and put boots on etc
for rug buckles, I press my bad arm against the horse to stabilise it, and use it as a holding arm and do all the fiddley stuff with my good arm
I also have to train them to lover heads to so i can put on headcollars and bridles

Thank u, this is so helpful! I’m going to have a look for some videos on where to start training this! It’s going to be a while till I can ride so it’ll be good to be able to spend some time with my boy just doing something!

 

[Mrsweav2010]

My friend has taught her mare to rest a hoof whilst she uses a hand held pressure spray to knock the worst of the muck out of the hoof. Final pick up to check all is clean. if she is struggling, there is usually someone around to give a hand. It's not easy is it?

This is a great idea, thank u so much for replying! Everyone has been lovely on my yard, I hate losing independence so I’m super motivated to get going with my physio and get back to some kind of normal!

 

[Patterdale]

Just don’t pick the feet out. I only pick them up if they’re lame tbh.

Hope you’re feeling better soon!

 

[Mrsweav2010]

Just don’t pick the feet out. I only pick them up if they’re lame tbh.

Hope you’re feeling better soon!

Thank u! I needed to hear that, I’ve been feeling guilty that I can’t do it (even though the farrier said they looked great when he came last week!). It’s only temporary and my friend is doing them when I ask

 

[Arzada]

Thank u! I needed to hear that, I’ve been feeling guilty that I can’t do it (even though the farrier said they looked great when he came last week!)

I wasn't able to pick out feet when I was injured. I left them and that was the beginning of the new hoof care regime. Almost 8 years in I pick them out once every 7 weeks (occasionally 6 weeks) half an hour before the farrier appears. Last visit he told me they were the feet of a young horse (horse is 25yo)

 

[Mrsweav2010]

I wasn't able to pick out feet when I was injured. I left them and that was the beginning of the new hoof care regime. Almost 8 years in I pick them out once every 7 weeks (occasionally 6 weeks) half an hour before the farrier appears. Last visit he told me they were the feet of a young horse (horse is 25yo)

Wow! That’s great, I’m a big fan of accidentally discovering a new way of doing things and this def makes the list!

 

[BronsonNutter]

Hope your elbow is on the mend soon! I smashed mine up last year (also a fall), not as badly as yours as didn't need replacing, but it took some time to get back to 'normal'.

I'm lucky that my TBs are great at picking up feet from a tap down the back of the legs (and anticipate that's what I want), for holding them I couldn't twist my wrist to hold round the pastern, so for back legs I'd pop them over my leg (like for the farrier) and then for forelegs I would rest them over my forearm. It took ages before I was able to properly hold up a obstinant cobs leg though. If yours is difficult I'd just get someone else to pick them out to check them occasionally!

 

[Mrsweav2010]

Hope your elbow is on the mend soon! I smashed mine up last year (also a fall), not as badly as yours as didn't need replacing, but it took some time to get back to 'normal'.

I'm lucky that my TBs are great at picking up feet from a tap down the back of the legs (and anticipate that's what I want), for holding them I couldn't twist my wrist to hold round the pastern, so for back legs I'd pop them over my leg (like for the farrier) and then for forelegs I would rest them over my forearm. It took ages before I was able to properly hold up a obstinant cobs leg though. If yours is difficult I'd just get someone else to pick them out to check them occasionally!

That’s a good idea, something to work on training for sure! Mines decided to lose all his manners since the accident (luckily I have an experienced friend who’s now exercising him) so hopefully the bored/naughty streak will come to an end soon though!!

 

[Mrsweav2010]

That’s a good idea, something to work on training for sure! Mines decided to lose all his manners since the accident (luckily I have an experienced friend who’s now exercising him) so hopefully the bored/naughty streak will come to an end soon though!!

Ps how long till u got back in the saddle? Every time I ask the Dr it’s a bit longer?!

 

[Red-1]

I don't recommend it as obviously it is silly, but both mine will rest their foot on my bended knee when I mess with them and don't have enough hands. I scrunch down and the knee I use is not resting on the floor. Been doing that years to trim hooves!

 

[BronsonNutter]

Ps how long till u got back in the saddle? Every time I ask the Dr it’s a bit longer?!

I was back riding my old boy at 8 weeks (probably would have got on sooner but I wasn't allowed to work so thought it might be a bit 'cheeky' if I was riding whilst still signed off work). He is very much not strong in the slightest and I trust him implicitly though.
The horse who was the cause of the accident I got back on at 10.5 weeks.